College of Foreign Trade Seats Filling up Fast

RIVERSIDE – Business owners, accountants, nonprofit operators and anyone else interested in attending the Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade’s winter academy, focusing on selling goods and services overseas, have only a few days left to enroll.

The 2013 College of Foreign Trade academy begins Jan. 16 and wraps up on Feb. 27. The final day to sign up is Tuesday.

”Sixty-one business owners have already enrolled,” said county Foreign Trade Commissioner Tom Freeman. ”Applications are still being accepted for this dynamic series of courses that educate (participants) on how to take advantage of export programs that will help them grow their businesses.”

Freeman said people are coming from as far as Sacramento to attend the academy.

The county provides study materials and space but commits no funds directly to the endeavor, according to Freeman.

Sponsors include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Export- Import Bank, Southern California Edison, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.